Sunday, October 17, 2010

Karen Cioffi's Day's End Lullaby

Routine is the heart of any good sleep routine for young children, and reading a ‘wind-down’ story is perfect for that. It’s a moment of closeness and warmth that children take with them into the night and can provide the kind of security that not only leads to a good night’s sleep (every parent’s ideal), but to a broader sense of general security that underlies so much of the insecurity that comes with growing up. So a book that facilitates the end of day routine for young children like Day’s End Lullaby, is more powerful than the simple rhyming text and soft images might suggest. One of the things I like most about this storybook is that it ends with the text in sheet music – a song that you could sing to your child after reading the book and looking at the pictures. Sing it softly, in a voice that fades out towards the end, and a goodnight kiss is all you need to send your child off to a delicious slumber. The images themselves are in marker, crayon and acrylic, and effectively convey the transition between the high energy of day and the delicate rest of night. The use of rhyme, colour and music is perfectly proportioned, making this a lovely gift book for any young child.

Karen Cioffi is a published author, ghostwriter-for-hire, freelance writer, and reviewer. She is the creator and manager of VBT Writers on the Move (a marketing group of authors utilizing cross-promotion and a number of promotional strategies); co-moderator of a children’s critique group; on the team at DKV Writing 4 U (offers professional and affordable writing services, blog and basic website creation); and an acquisitions editor intern. More information about Karen can be found at her website: http://www.karencioffi.com

12 comments:

"Routine is the heart of any good sleep routine for young children"Karen, this is so very true. I raised both of my girls on this fact.Your book sounds like the perfect end to a busy day.Martha Swirzinskiwww.movementplus.com

Always love your reviews, Maggie. And love to know more about Karen. Did you know she is an editor, too?Best,Carolyn Howard-JohnsonBlogging writers' resources at Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites pick www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com

How true! Bedtime is a special time for parents and their little angels. It's a time of thanksgiving and wishes, comfort and love. I love Karen's book. It touched my heart and brought me back in time to the tender moments I spent with my children and grandchildren. It would make an excellent holiday gift this season!

I always enjoyed bedtime stories. My girls are teens now so I miss that routine. Your book sounds like a winner. I adore that you placed a song at the end. Music can be so soothing. I'll add this book to my Christmas shopping list for friends.

About Me

Magdalena Ball is a novelist, poet, reviewer and interviewer, and is the Managing Editor of Compulsive Reader (compulsivereader.com). She has been widely published in literary journals, anthologies, and online, and is the author of several published books of poetry and fiction, including, most recently, the poetry book Unmaking Atoms (Ginninderra Press) and the novel Black Cow (Bewrite Books).